Manifest Progeny

The theme of my collection of artifacts is: Manifest Progeny . Progeny is defined as: descendants or offspring regarded collectively. This is a play on words with Manifest Destiny. These artifacts in specific order, communicate that we are the progeny of a society that committed irreparable injustices against native populations. This westward invasion was relabeled as westward expansion under the blanket justification that the Christian god created American settlers to spread their “common good” across the land.

Please click the image to open a link to the transcript of speeches made by Cheif Joseph of the Nimipuu tribe.

Courtesy of the Library of Congress

Please follow along with the MP3 file by clicking the image below to access a transcript of Bill Moyer’s interview with acclaimed native writer, Sherman Alexie.

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2 Replies to “Manifest Progeny”

I couldn’t get the audio clip to work, so I’m glad you included the transcript.
I appreciate the use of Chief Joseph’s letters here, but I think overall, the whole lesson could use a bit more context. However, I could see this as being a great exercise where the students were the ones to create the larger context, through making connections between the artifacts presented and their own further research.

I liked the incorporation of a couple different kinds of media. I agree that this could be great for student exploration and wresting with the concept and effects of manifest destiny and injustice toward native populations.